NATURAL INSECT AND ARTHROPOD REPELLENT

A topical insect repellent with extended duration of protection was obtained from mixtures of molecules based on two or more volatile repellent organic molecular species occurring naturally on human skin surfaces. The novel repellent comprises mixtures of lower, intermediate, and higher volatility organic molecules. Active ingredients for formulations are obtained from homologous series of carboxylic acids, alcohols, ketones, and lactones which span a similar range of volatility and which occur naturally on the skin surface. Volatile silicone fluid imparts mildness and water repellency to the repellent formulations. The inventive repellent exhibits longevity and repellency that is comparable to DEET. The inventive repellent, formulated in a volatile silicone fluid, was shown to repel and incapcitate stable flies. Repellency extends to mosquitoes and other biting flies or insects.